Samaria Gorge:
The hike through the Samaria Gorge is probably the most famous hike on the whole island. In high season, supposedly up to 3000 people a day run through the gorge. For me understandable, because this hike is very beautiful and worthwhile in any case.
Most people, as I did, undertake this hike with an organized group. At the time of the Samaria hike, my accommodation was in the city of Chania, where a bus picked up the hikers. I chose the earliest possible time to avoid a large crowd in the gorge as best as possible. During the outward journey one already gets to see beautiful mountains, a look out of the window is worthwhile. When arriving at the starting point of the gorge, I recommend to try to be one of the first to start hiking, so you can enjoy the hike with little hustle and bustle. The hike begins with the descent into the valley, then further deeper and deeper into the increasingly narrow gorge, a great experience! Along the way there are always fountains where you can fill up drinking water. There are also toilets along the way. The hike ends in the small village of Agia Roumeli. There you can rest and eat something in the restaurants, until finally a ferry takes the hikers to the waiting buses. In the village you had more than enough time and there is really no hurry to do the hike as quickly as possible.
The ferry ride is a really nice end to this hike, for which you have to plan a whole day.
The total cost for bus, entrance fee and ferry was 43 Euro per person.
Tour data: www.komoot.de/tour/833981762?...
Preveli:
The palm beach Preveli is something very special and inspired me totally. In the middle of a gorge there is a tropical oasis with several palm trees along the river, which flows into a beautiful beach. You feel as if you were suddenly in South America. The chosen route can rather be called a "mini-hike". Start was the parking lot Preveli Beach, from there it went down to the gorge, to the end of the path at the river and back to the beach. Afterwards I wanted to hike further to the nearby beach Drymiskiano Ammoudi, but in my opinion it was not worth it with the view, so I turned back halfway and went back up past the parking lot to a great viewpoint over the gorge. This spot was very worthwhile. For the parking lot you had to pay 2 Euro.
Tour data: www.komoot.de/tour/833986092?...
Imbros Gorge:
Again we went to hike in a gorge, because Crete is very well known for the gorge hikes and even in June it can still be pleasant from the temperatures there.
The Imbros gorge is about 11 kilometers long and through the partly very narrow gorge paths special. On this hike I started at the parking lot of Taverna Komitades, hiked up the gorge and then after about ¾ of the way back to the starting point. I chose this route because it is the best way to see the gorge from both perspectives. You can also use a cab if you want to hike only one way. The entrance fee to the gorge was 2,50 Euro per person.
Tour dates: www.komoot.de/tour/833991861?...
Elafonisi:
Another mini hike I did was a round on the island of Elafonisi directly on the same name gorgeous beach. I was very early in the morning already on the beach, because it does not take long, then this is full of people. Another way to avoid the crowds is this small circular route that I discovered on the map. However, I would recommend only the southern section, because it is much more beautiful with wonderful beaches that also invite you to linger.
Tour data: www.komoot.de/tour/835286476?...
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